Arkansas · Hiking

Mg Black Oak Ridge Loop

7.3 mi
round trip
1,118 ft
climb
1,545 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Mg Black Oak Ridge Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. It doesn't name Mg Black Oak Ridge Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (9 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Black Oak Ridge Loop is a 7.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Bayou Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated hard, with a total elevation gain of 308 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 14%. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The route starts and ends at the Black Oak Ridge trail, with the Black Oak Ridge Spur South and Black Oak Ridge A branches within a mile. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 72°F and April highs around 70°F, while July and August average about 90°F. That station sits roughly 700 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Moccasin Gap Campground is about 2 miles away, and Long Pool Campground is about 4 miles off. Paddlers can reach Illinois Bayou, about 7 miles away, and Bayou Bluff Campground is about 9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Mg Black Oak Ridge Loop

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      47° / 29°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      52° / 32°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 40°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 49°

      9 wet

    5. May

      77° / 59°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 67°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 71°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 70°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 63°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 52°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 41°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      49° / 33°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Clarksville 6 Ne, AR, 17.5 mi away at 850 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.